Principal Investigator

RTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach-one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world's most challenging problems.

We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

RTI International is seeking a Principal Investigator (PI) to direct a large-scale, national coordination effort the under the National Science Foundation's (NSF) TechAccess: AI-Ready America program which seeks to accelerate AI readiness and adoption across the U.S.

The AI-Ready America program includes a network of State and Territory Coordination Hubs-one in each U.S. state, territory, and the District of Columbia-that serve as local coordination entities for advancing AI readiness.

These hubs are responsible for convening partners, developing statewide AI readiness strategies, supporting workforce training and AI deployment, and connecting education, industry, and public-sector stakeholders.

The NSF will designate a National Coordination Lead to collaborate closely with these hubs to support coordination, facilitate knowledge sharing, and strengthen national-level alignment across local efforts.

Position Overview

The PI will provide overall strategic and operational leadership for the National Coordination Lead project.

Working in close collaboration with the NSF and a network of subcontractors and partner organizations, the PI will guide and coordinate execution across a range of technical, programmatic, and stakeholder engagement activities aimed at facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing among the Coordination Hubs.

The PI will be responsible for setting vision, aligning partners, and ensuring high-quality execution across all seven TechAccess: AI-Ready America workstreams, while enabling a distributed team to carry out day-to-day implementation. Read more about the seven workstreams here: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/5a4baa89aa7e44be92ee030e02fc31d8/view

This position is contingent upon RTI International's successful award of the NSF agreement.

This is a one-year term position with up to four (4) option years.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as the overall and programmatic director for the National Coordination Lead for the TechAccess: AI-Ready America Program.
• Define and guide a vision and execution strategy in collaboration with RTI program leadership, subcontractors, and external partners for the National Lead of the TechAccess: AI-Ready America Program.
• Lead the establishment of a semi-autonomous program unit, including governance, staffing, and operational systems.
• Ensure coordination with partners working to implement the project
• Facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing among up to 55 state hubs including workforce, education, and innovation stakeholders.

Oversight of Workstreams (Delivered by a Multi-Partner Team)

• Provide leadership, coordination, and accountability for execution of all core workstreams, implemented by RTI staff, subcontractors, and partner organizations, including:
  • State/Territory Coordination Support: Guide the delivery of technical assistance and peer learning across coordination hubs.
  • National Knowledge Sharing: Oversee development of public-facing tools, communications, and insights.
  • AI Deployment Support: Direct development of national-level deployment capacity through specialized teams and partners.
  • Industry & Philanthropy Engagement: Lead partnership strategy and resource mobilization in collaboration with dedicated staff and partners.
  • Sector Coordination: Guide identification and coordination of priority sectors with stakeholder input.
  • Catalyst Award Competitions: Oversee design and/or execution of competitions administered by the team.
  • Reporting & Evaluation: Ensure development of KPIs, reporting systems, and evaluation frameworks, executed by appropriate technical staff and partners.

Stakeholder Engagement & Convening

• Serve as a national convener and trusted, neutral coordinator, working alongside partners to engage stakeholders across sectors.
• Represent the program in national forums.
• Support and elevate the work of Coordination Hubs, partners, and affiliated initiatives.

Team Leadership & Governance

• Lead and coordinate a distributed team of RTI staff, subcontractors, and partner organizations, ensuring clear roles, accountability, and integration of efforts.
• Establish governance structures, decision-making processes, and coordination mechanisms across the partnership.
• Ensure effective onboarding, engagement, and management of subcontractors and collaborators.

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced degree (PhD, DrPH, or equivalent) in a relevant field (e.g., public policy, economics, computer science, engineering, workforce development, or related discipline) and a minimum of 10 years of experience or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in AI, workforce development, education systems, and/or economic development ecosystems.
• Proven ability to manage large-scale programs with multiple partners, funding streams, and workstreams.
• Experience engaging with federal agencies, public-sector partners, and/or national initiatives

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as a Principal Investigator or program director on large federally funded programs.
• Experience building and running a national consortium or community of practice.
• Experience engaging with the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
• Familiarity with Other Transaction (OT) agreements or non-traditional federal funding mechanisms.
• Demonstrated national convening power, including the ability to mobilize cross-sector partnerships.

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RTI accepts applications to our job openings from candidates with criminal histories or conviction records in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

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The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States. RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.